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Lyrics & meaning

Akka Magalukku Sadai (Female)

From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayarja
Movie name
Vellaiya Thevan
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
6 Mar 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Akkaa magalukku sadai neelam
Adhuthaan avalukku adaiyaalam
Akkaa magalukku sadai neelam
Adhuthaan avalukku adaiyaalam
Pakkaa padiyilae mukkaa padi
Paaththaa iruppaa ennaalum
Pakkaa padiyilae mukkaa padi
Paaththaa iruppaa ennaalum
Uppu kanji koodaiyilae
Oththa rosa kondaiyilae
Seppu sela nada pottaa
Chinna pasangala eda pottaa
Akkaa magalukku sadai neelam
Adhuthaan avalukku adaiyaalam
Akkaa magalukku sadai neelam
Adhuthaan avalukku adaiyaalam
Elder sister's daughter has a long braid,
and that is her defining mark.
Elder sister's daughter has a long braid,
and that is her defining mark.
She measures just three-quarters of a full cup,
and she always looks that way.
She measures just three-quarters of a full cup,
and she always looks that way.
With salted rice porridge in her basket,
and a single rose in her hair bun,
she walks with the grace of a bronze statue,
sizing up all the young boys.
Elder sister's daughter has a long braid,
and that is her defining mark.
Elder sister's daughter has a long braid,
and that is her defining mark.
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This folk-infused song from 'Vellaiya Thevan' playfully describes the charm, beauty, and distinctive presence of a young rural woman. Her defining trait is her long braided hair, which serves as her identity in the village. The lyrics capture her daily routine and rustic elegance—carrying salted rice porridge to the fields, wearing a single rose in her hair bun, and walking gracefully in a traditional saree while winning the admiration of young men around her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Akkaa magalukku sadai neelam / Adhuthaan avalukku adaiyaalam

The words 'neelam' and 'adaiyaalam' end with matching rhyming sounds (-am), giving the couplet a catchy rhythmic flow.

Edhukai (Second Letter Assonance)

Uppu kanji koodaiyilae ... Seppu sela nada pottaa

The second consonant sound 'pp' is repeated across consecutive lines ('Uppu' and 'Seppu').

Visual Imagery

Uppu kanji koodaiyilae / Oththa rosa kondaiyilae

Lyricist Vaali uses vivid rural imagery like carrying salted porridge and placing a single rose in a hair bun to depict authentic village life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1990 movie 'Vellaiya Thevan', this song highlights Vaali's skill in using traditional Tamil village measuring units like 'padi' and 'mukkaa padi' as playful metaphors for stature and personality. Singer K. S. Chithra delivered the track with an authentic rural vocal texture.

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